Confrontation with closed network nation: Open network society's choices and consequences

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to understand how closed national networks can impact the future cyber domain from the military perspective. We argue that Russia is currently manipulating the cyber domain through identified four lines of effort that may result in advantage in a form of asymmetric frontlines in cyber battlefields. Accordingly, a ‘closed network nation’ is able to force ‘open network society’ into a reactive mode. As a result, we use scenario analysis for the estimation of open network society's strategic choices and their consequences in a case of escalation and potential confrontation with a ‘closed network nation’. This paper improves situational awareness in the cyber domain and supports global planning of cyber operations and defense.